Landmark bill would stabilize hemp market by creating regulatory pathway for CBD in food, beverages, and dietary supplements
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Hemp Roundtable applauds new Senate legislation to create a regulatory pathway for cannabidiol (CBD) to be safely used in food, beverages, and dietary supplements.
“The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act is a huge win for American consumers, farmers, and the hemp industry as a whole,” said Jonathan Miller, general counsel, U.S. Hemp Roundtable. “Consumers will benefit from knowing that CBD products must be manufactured according to FDA-approved CBD processes. Struggling American farmers will benefit from a stabilized marketplace. It also will stimulate innovation and job creation in the hemp industry.
“The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is deeply grateful to Senator Ron Wyden for crafting this smart, sensible, and critical legislation, and to Senator Rand Paul and Senator Jeff Merkley for serving as the original co-sponsors.”
The Act allows hemp-derived CBD and other non-intoxicating hemp ingredients to be lawfully marketed as dietary supplements and food and beverage additives. The bill requires CBD and hemp extract product manufacturers to comply with the entire existing comprehensive regulatory framework for dietary supplements and food, which ensures that the products are deemed safe, properly labeled, and prepared utilizing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
The bill also honors the country’s commitment made to farmers in the 2018 Farm Bill.
“Hemp farmers have been suffering for three years because of a lack of clarity from Washington,” said Kyle Truesdell, a hemp farmer with operations in several western states. “This bill gives me hope that our hard work and investment will finally start to pay off.”
As the leading advocacy organization for the nation’s hemp industry, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable is urging support and swift passage of the bill.
“Passage of this bill would mark the end of uncertainty for American farmers and provide a boon for consumers and retailers after a crippling pandemic,” said Miller. “We strongly urge every senator to support this bill and bring it to a vote immediately.”
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has created an online portal for citizens to voice their support for the bill. By going to hempsupporter.com, hemp supporters can read the bill, send a letter to their senator, and stay informed about the progress of the legislation.
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has helped assemble a coalition of companies and industry groups that have endorsed the bill, including: Alliance for Natural Health USA, American Herbal Products Association, Ancient Nutrition, Beneficial Blends, Bluebird Botanicals, Botanacor, California Hemp Council, Canopy Growth, CBD American Shaman, CBDistillery, cbdMD, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Cronos Group, CV Sciences, Elegance Brands, Elixinol, Friends of Hemp, FSOil, Green Rock Hemp Holdings, Hemp Alliance of Tennessee, Hemp industries Association, HempFusion, iHemp Michigan, Joy Organics, Koi CBD, KY Hemp Association, Lazarus Naturals, Medosi, Medterra, Midwest Hemp Council, National Grocers Association, NuSachi, Open Book Extracts, Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmers Association, Presence Marketing, Queen City Hemp, Realm of Caring, Recess, Texas Hemp Coalition, Turning Point Brands, U.S. Hemp Authority, U.S. Hemp Building Association, USA CBD Expo, Village Farms, Virginia Hemp Coalition, Vote Hemp, We Are For Better Alternatives, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, Wisconsin Hemp Alliance, and Zilis.
